Monday, September 18
Westchester, IL | Chicago Highlands Club
All Day
Wake Forest University
vs
Highlands Invitional
No. 25 Demon Deacons Set to Host Highlands Invitational in Chicago
9/17/2023 10:55:00 AM | Men's Golf
With the Deacs’ first tournament in the books, Wake Forest men’s golf will head to Chicago to host the Highlands Invitational.
WESTCHESTER, Ill.- In the second event of the season, the nationally-ranked Demon Deacons will head to Chicago to host the Highlands Invitational, starting Monday at Chicago Highlands Club in Westchester, Ill.
The Highlands Invitational is a new event that will be held at the Chicago Highlands Club from Monday, Sept. 18 to Tuesday, Sept. 19. Chicago Highlands is the best course in Illinois and the 18th best course in the country according to GoldDigest. The publication also rated hole nine at Chicago Highlands as one of the best hole designs in America.
The last event Wake Forest hosted was the Battle of the Run at Bermuda Run Country Club in April. The Deacs came out on top, shooting 19-under as a team during the competition.
All six Demon Deacon golfers finished in the top-10 during the Battle of the Run. Notably, Andrew McLauchlan shot an impressive five-under as he finished the event tied for first.
The inaugural Highlands Invitational will feature 14 teams total. Two of those teams are conference opponents in No. 13 Virginia and No. 23 Duke. These nationally recognized programs will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday in a stroke play competition.
The Demon Deacons will be bringing two teams to compete at Chicago Highlands with 11 players in total competing.
The Deacs made five top-five finishes over the course of last season. On their road to the ACC Tournament, the Demon Deacons had five players finish in the top-25 at the Calusa Cup. Next, the Deacs hosted the Battle of the Run where all five Demon Deacons finished in the top-10.
Last season, Michael Brennan became the 23rd Wake Forest golfer to win the ACC Individual Championship. The last time a Demon Deacon won the ACC Individual was when Webb Simpson secured the championship in 2008.
Heading into his senior season Brennan has claimed six individual titles. Brennan is ranked fourth in individual titles amongst great Wake Forest Alumni.
Wake Forest Individual Champion Titles
After a powerful performance from Brennan, the Deacs turned their focus to advancing to the ACC Championship Final. The season prior the Demon Deacons took home the ACC Championship. During the semifinals, Scotty Kennon helped the Deacs get their first point winning 5&4. After winning his individual title a day prior, Brennan secured a 2-0 lead for the Deacs winning 6&5. Mark Power scored the final point to send Wake Forest to their second-straight ACC Championship Final appearance under Coach Jerry Haas.
Live scoring throughout the tournament will be available on GolfStat.com.
The Wake Forest A team will be teeing off from 8:00 to 8:40 a.m. with No. 23 Duke and College of Charleston. Next to tee off will be the Wake Forest B team from 8:50 to 9:30 a.m. with Furman and Missouri. The individual, Clay Stirsman, is set to tee off at 9:00 a.m. along with the Duke and Virginia individual. The other individual opponent has yet to be announced.
THE DEACS' LINEUP
The A Team
Michael Brennan
Senior Michael Brennan heads into his senior season ranked 11th in the PGA Tour University and 21st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Last season Brennan fifth individual title at the Southwestern Invitational winning by one stroke. The Virginia native had a lot of success at Pinehurst No. 2 last season. During the Wake Forest Invitational, Brennan turned in his lowest score of the season shooting a 64 (-6). In April Brennan made his return to Pinehurst as he took home the 2023 ACC Individual Title and helped push the Deacs to the final round of the ACC Championship. Heading into his senior season Brennan made his second professional appearance in the U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Scotty Kennon
Junior Scotty Kennon finished off the Sahalee Players Championship ranked highest on the Wake Forest squad. Last year Kennon came into his own as he ended his season with six top-25 finishes. One of which was his first top-five finish during the final event of the season. The Florida native helped the Deacs take home wins at the Battle of Briar's Creek and the Battle of the Run. During the past two ACC Championships Kennon has played a big role for the Demon Deacons. This past season Kennon claimed one of the points to help take the Deacs to their second straight ACC Championship appearance. Kennon ended strong winning 5&4 with big wins on the ninth, 10th, and 12th holes.
Andrew McLauchlan
Early in his freshman season Andrew McLauchlan solidified himself on the starting lineup for the Deacs. In his first round of the 2022-23 season, McLauchlan turned in his lowest score of the season, shooting 64. The Florida native finished in the top-10 in four tournaments last season. During the final event of the season, McLauchlan tied for first at the Battle of the Run. At the ACC Championship Semifinals, McLauchlan held a strong 3UP lead while Mark Power scored the deciding point to send the Deacs to the final.
Marshall Meisel
Junior Marshall Meisel jumped 10 spots in the rankings during the final round of the SPC. Last season, Meisel finished in the top-25 at three different events. Along with that, he added a pair of top-10 finishes at the Battle of the Run and the Old Town Club College Invitational.
Tom Haberer
Freshman Tom Haberer made his Wake Forest debut last weekend at the SPC. The German notched 10 birdies in his first appearance for the Deacs. Haberer will get the nod again to make his second consecutive start for the Deacs.
The B Team
Boyd Owens
Sophomore Boyd Owens takes the role as the number one spot on the B team for the Highlands Invitational. Owens scored seven birdies on 36 holes at the SPC with a total nine birdies on the weekend. During his debut round last season, Owens posted the lowest debut round in program history, shooting a 63 (-7). Over the course of freshman season, the Louisiana native notched three top-20 finishes. During the Battle of the Run he had his best outing of the season where he placed fourth. At Pinehurst, Owens added a point during match play to help send the Demon Deacons to the ACC Championship Final.
Collin Adams
The junior from Charlotte is set to make his debut at the Highlands Invitational on Monday. Last season Adams competed in five events. Adams secured two top-20 finishes and shot a career-low 66 (-6).
Daniel Sheedy
Last season grad student Daniel Sheedy made three appearances for the Demon Deacons. Out of the three appearances, Sheedy made a top-15 finish coming in 12th at the Battle at Briar's Creek. The Californian is set to make his first appearance of the 2023-24 season this Monday.
Marco Florioli
The individual contestant for the Deacs in Chicago is freshman Marco Florioli. The freshman will be the first Italian player in history for the Demon Deacons. Florioli has been one of the highest ranked junior golfers in Europe during the last few years of his junior career.
Kyle Haas
Freshman Kyle Haas will be making his freshman debut at the Highlands Invitational on Monday. Haas was the No. 1 player in North Carolina for the class of 2023. Before his time at Wake Forest, Haas won the 2023 Eastern Amateur title and the AJGA Sam Burns Classic.
Competing as an Individual
Clay Stirsman
Clay Stirsman will be making his first appearance of the season this Monday in Chicago. The senior played in five events this past season for the Deacs. The Indiana native posted a pair of top-20 finishes and recorded a 67 in his first appearance last season at the Maui Jim Invitational .
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
COURSE INFORMATION
Highlands Invitational
Chicago Highlands Club - Westchester, Ill. - Par 72 - 6,482 yards
LIVE SCORING
Highlands Invitational TEE TIMES
Monday, September 18 - First & Second Round - Play begins at 7:10 a.m. ET with Wake Forest teeing off of No. 1 with play continuing through the second round.
Tuesday, September 19 - Third Round - Play begins at 7:20 a.m. ET
The Highlands Invitational is a new event that will be held at the Chicago Highlands Club from Monday, Sept. 18 to Tuesday, Sept. 19. Chicago Highlands is the best course in Illinois and the 18th best course in the country according to GoldDigest. The publication also rated hole nine at Chicago Highlands as one of the best hole designs in America.
The last event Wake Forest hosted was the Battle of the Run at Bermuda Run Country Club in April. The Deacs came out on top, shooting 19-under as a team during the competition.
All six Demon Deacon golfers finished in the top-10 during the Battle of the Run. Notably, Andrew McLauchlan shot an impressive five-under as he finished the event tied for first.
The inaugural Highlands Invitational will feature 14 teams total. Two of those teams are conference opponents in No. 13 Virginia and No. 23 Duke. These nationally recognized programs will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday in a stroke play competition.
The Demon Deacons will be bringing two teams to compete at Chicago Highlands with 11 players in total competing.
The Deacs made five top-five finishes over the course of last season. On their road to the ACC Tournament, the Demon Deacons had five players finish in the top-25 at the Calusa Cup. Next, the Deacs hosted the Battle of the Run where all five Demon Deacons finished in the top-10.
Last season, Michael Brennan became the 23rd Wake Forest golfer to win the ACC Individual Championship. The last time a Demon Deacon won the ACC Individual was when Webb Simpson secured the championship in 2008.
Heading into his senior season Brennan has claimed six individual titles. Brennan is ranked fourth in individual titles amongst great Wake Forest Alumni.
Wake Forest Individual Champion Titles
After a powerful performance from Brennan, the Deacs turned their focus to advancing to the ACC Championship Final. The season prior the Demon Deacons took home the ACC Championship. During the semifinals, Scotty Kennon helped the Deacs get their first point winning 5&4. After winning his individual title a day prior, Brennan secured a 2-0 lead for the Deacs winning 6&5. Mark Power scored the final point to send Wake Forest to their second-straight ACC Championship Final appearance under Coach Jerry Haas.
Live scoring throughout the tournament will be available on GolfStat.com.
The Wake Forest A team will be teeing off from 8:00 to 8:40 a.m. with No. 23 Duke and College of Charleston. Next to tee off will be the Wake Forest B team from 8:50 to 9:30 a.m. with Furman and Missouri. The individual, Clay Stirsman, is set to tee off at 9:00 a.m. along with the Duke and Virginia individual. The other individual opponent has yet to be announced.
THE DEACS' LINEUP
The A Team
Michael Brennan
Senior Michael Brennan heads into his senior season ranked 11th in the PGA Tour University and 21st in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Last season Brennan fifth individual title at the Southwestern Invitational winning by one stroke. The Virginia native had a lot of success at Pinehurst No. 2 last season. During the Wake Forest Invitational, Brennan turned in his lowest score of the season shooting a 64 (-6). In April Brennan made his return to Pinehurst as he took home the 2023 ACC Individual Title and helped push the Deacs to the final round of the ACC Championship. Heading into his senior season Brennan made his second professional appearance in the U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club.
Scotty Kennon
Junior Scotty Kennon finished off the Sahalee Players Championship ranked highest on the Wake Forest squad. Last year Kennon came into his own as he ended his season with six top-25 finishes. One of which was his first top-five finish during the final event of the season. The Florida native helped the Deacs take home wins at the Battle of Briar's Creek and the Battle of the Run. During the past two ACC Championships Kennon has played a big role for the Demon Deacons. This past season Kennon claimed one of the points to help take the Deacs to their second straight ACC Championship appearance. Kennon ended strong winning 5&4 with big wins on the ninth, 10th, and 12th holes.
Andrew McLauchlan
Early in his freshman season Andrew McLauchlan solidified himself on the starting lineup for the Deacs. In his first round of the 2022-23 season, McLauchlan turned in his lowest score of the season, shooting 64. The Florida native finished in the top-10 in four tournaments last season. During the final event of the season, McLauchlan tied for first at the Battle of the Run. At the ACC Championship Semifinals, McLauchlan held a strong 3UP lead while Mark Power scored the deciding point to send the Deacs to the final.
Marshall Meisel
Junior Marshall Meisel jumped 10 spots in the rankings during the final round of the SPC. Last season, Meisel finished in the top-25 at three different events. Along with that, he added a pair of top-10 finishes at the Battle of the Run and the Old Town Club College Invitational.
Tom Haberer
Freshman Tom Haberer made his Wake Forest debut last weekend at the SPC. The German notched 10 birdies in his first appearance for the Deacs. Haberer will get the nod again to make his second consecutive start for the Deacs.
The B Team
Boyd Owens
Sophomore Boyd Owens takes the role as the number one spot on the B team for the Highlands Invitational. Owens scored seven birdies on 36 holes at the SPC with a total nine birdies on the weekend. During his debut round last season, Owens posted the lowest debut round in program history, shooting a 63 (-7). Over the course of freshman season, the Louisiana native notched three top-20 finishes. During the Battle of the Run he had his best outing of the season where he placed fourth. At Pinehurst, Owens added a point during match play to help send the Demon Deacons to the ACC Championship Final.
Collin Adams
The junior from Charlotte is set to make his debut at the Highlands Invitational on Monday. Last season Adams competed in five events. Adams secured two top-20 finishes and shot a career-low 66 (-6).
Daniel Sheedy
Last season grad student Daniel Sheedy made three appearances for the Demon Deacons. Out of the three appearances, Sheedy made a top-15 finish coming in 12th at the Battle at Briar's Creek. The Californian is set to make his first appearance of the 2023-24 season this Monday.
Marco Florioli
The individual contestant for the Deacs in Chicago is freshman Marco Florioli. The freshman will be the first Italian player in history for the Demon Deacons. Florioli has been one of the highest ranked junior golfers in Europe during the last few years of his junior career.
Kyle Haas
Freshman Kyle Haas will be making his freshman debut at the Highlands Invitational on Monday. Haas was the No. 1 player in North Carolina for the class of 2023. Before his time at Wake Forest, Haas won the 2023 Eastern Amateur title and the AJGA Sam Burns Classic.
Competing as an Individual
Clay Stirsman
Clay Stirsman will be making his first appearance of the season this Monday in Chicago. The senior played in five events this past season for the Deacs. The Indiana native posted a pair of top-20 finishes and recorded a 67 in his first appearance last season at the Maui Jim Invitational .
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
- No. 25 Wake Forest
- Yale
- College of Charleston
- Michigan
- Rutgers
- No. 23 Duke
- Furman
- Iowa
- Penn State
- Missouri
- Indiana
- Maryland
- T-13 Virginia
- Houston
COURSE INFORMATION
Highlands Invitational
Chicago Highlands Club - Westchester, Ill. - Par 72 - 6,482 yards
- The Chicago Highlands Club is a young course that was only opened in 2010.
- The course has made a quick claim for being one of the best in the country and number one in Illinois.
- Course architect, Arthur Hills, was awarded by GolfDigest for hole nine at Chicago Highlands as one of the best in America.
LIVE SCORING
Highlands Invitational TEE TIMES
Monday, September 18 - First & Second Round - Play begins at 7:10 a.m. ET with Wake Forest teeing off of No. 1 with play continuing through the second round.
Tuesday, September 19 - Third Round - Play begins at 7:20 a.m. ET
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